Its National Insect Week starting Monday June 19th 2006 so I went to the World Museum Liverpool today to see a group of dung beetles having a bit of a party with some fresh Donkey Poo!

The dung, or scarab beetles are particularly attracted to dung, as it is an important part of the mating process. The male beetle finds a piece, rolls it into a ball, buries it and then allows the female to lay eggs on it. Once the eggs hatch, the baby beetle feeds upon the dung ball.

Paul Finnegan, the World Museum Liverpool bug house team leader, says, “This species of beetle recycles dung, and actually adds nutrients to the soil. There are other animals that feed upon dung - including species of flies, butterflies and grasshoppers. Without these insects, we would have a world that is covered in poo!”

World Museum Liverpool also has a programme of other free fun events for all those interested in creepy crawlies:

o Get the nets at the ready for Mini Beats Safari in St John’s Gardens on 21 and 22 June, starting at 1500 hours. Staff from the Bug House lead the search for inhabitants of the insect in the gardens, demonstrating different techniques for catching. After examining the finds all insects will be released, unharmed, back into the wild.
o Join the Creepy Crawly Tours of the Entomology Collections, on 20, 21 and 22 June, starting at 1300 hours. See some of the largest, strangest and smallest insects in the collection that contains over one million specimens.
o Learn all about the life of a honey bee with Bee Demonstrations on 19, 20, 21 and 22 June at 1100 hours. Using the bee hives both in the Bug House and on the roof of the museum, discover the secret world of insects with buzzing social lives!
o Drop in on Close Encounters with Live Insects on 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 June at 1400 hours. Get up close and personal with a variety of live insects, from the dung beetles to the world’s biggest stick insect.
o Indulge in Insects Arts and Crafts at the Clore Natural History Centre on 24 and 25 June at 1400 – 1600 hours. Bring the family along to make a range of insect-themed items, including greetings cards, decorative mobiles and creepy - crawly games.

All events are ticketed unless stated.